Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHINDEK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALHINDEK’, particularly characterized by white, small flowers with small, very light purple centers and reddish-yellow and white lips, concave flower shape in lateral view, compact plant, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALHINDEK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALHINDEK’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with many attractive, white, small flowers with very light purple centers and reddish-yellow and white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALHINDEK’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in December 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘23979-09’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘11469-0002’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in November 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 16, 2019 (Application no. 2019/0992), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALHINDEK’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALHINDEK’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALHINDEK’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White, small flowers with small, very light purple centers         and reddish-yellow and white lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and     -   3) Plant is compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 42-week-old plants in August 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALHINDEK’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALHINDEK’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALHINDEK’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALHINDEK’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in August 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 9-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 18-20 weeks, followed by transplantation to 9-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 25 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 6 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 11 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 42 weeks in 9-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALHINDEK’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘23979-09’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘11469-0002’             (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B             and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 144C) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 18-20             weeks. After transplantation into 9-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 40 to 42 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 30.0 cm to 35.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 21.0 cm to 23.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 8 to 10 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 10.0 cm             to 13.0 cm. Width: 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Narrow             oblong. Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse             unequal. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from             the horizontal position): Between 20 degrees and 35 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 146A. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):             Smooth. Thickness: 2.5 mm to 2.9 mm. Variegation: Absent.             Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper             surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS 146A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—14 to 20.         -   Length.—30.0 cm to 35.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.8 mm to 4.3 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS 146B) with a touch of reddish-brown (RHS             200B).         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 150.0 mm to             170.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months             after planting in a 9-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 40.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Diameter: 50.0 mm to             55.0 mm. Depth of lip: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 12 to 14 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 18.0 mm to             20.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (something in between RHS 154D and 145C)             with a touch of RHS 182B.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from             base to tip): 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White             (RHS NN155C). Over color: Shaded (RHS 76B) at the base.             Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:             Shaded (RHS 76A) at the base. Number of spots and stripes on             the petals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes             on the petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of             netting of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 24.0 mm to             26.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Shaded (RHS 76A) at the base. Lower surface:             Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Shaded (RHS             N78D). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the             dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of             netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of             the netting: Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 25.0 mm to             27.0 mm. Width: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Touch of yellow-green (RHS 145D) at the             base and very light purple (RHS 76B) at the base. Lower             surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Touch             of light yellow-green (RHS 145D) and very light purple (RHS             76B) at the base; very light purple midvein (RHS 76B).             Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals             (upper surface): Few to medium very small dots at the base.             Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals             (upper surface): RHS N77B. Density of netting of the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0             mm to 7.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly             spatulate. Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 7.0 mm             to 9.0 mm. Width: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Yellow (RHS 13A) at the base and (RHS 4D) with red stripes             (RHS 184A); white (RHS 155D) at the middle; purplish-pink             (RHS N78C) toward the top. Lower surface: White (RHS 155D)             at the base; reddish (RHS 184B) on one side; light             reddish-purple (RHS N78D) toward the tip. Number of spots             and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few stripes at the base.             Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 184A.             Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the             netting: Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 18.0             mm to 20.0 mm. Width: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Yellow (RHS 13A) and red (RHS 184B) at the base;             white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Yellow             (something in between RHS 13C and 13D) toward wings with             small red dots (RHS 184B); white (RHS NN155C) toward             whiskers. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the apical             lobe: Few to medium very small dots. Color of spots, dots,             and stripes on the apical lobe: RHS 184B. Density of netting             of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.             Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:             Orange-yellow (RHS 21A); dotted (RHS 176A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to             4.3 mm. Color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) with white             tip (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 1.6 mm to 1.8             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 32.0 mm to 34.0 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm to             2.1 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Hint of dark purple             (something in between RHS N77A and N77B) at the base; light             yellow-green (RHS 145D) and light reddish-purple (RHS N78D)             toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALHINDEK’ differs from female parent plant ‘23979-09’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHINDEK’ has white whiskers and light reddish-purple columns with white tips, whereas ‘23979-09’ has white whiskers with light greenish-yellow tips and white columns with few light purple dots at the base. Additionally, ‘PHALHINDEK’ has smaller flowers and shorter whiskers than ‘23979-09’.

‘PHALHINDEK’ differs from male parent plant ‘11469-0002’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHINDEK’ has white whiskers and light reddish-purple columns with white tips, whereas ‘11469-0002’ has purplish-pink whiskers with white margins and reddish-purple columns. Additionally, ‘PHALHINDEK’ has longer whiskers than ‘11469-0002’.

‘PHALHINDEK’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALDILEP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,641) and ‘PHALGNAAQ’ (unpatented). ‘PHALHINDEK’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDILEP’ in that ‘PHALHINDEK’ has obtuse petal apexes and light reddish-purple columns with white tips, whereas ‘PHALDILEP’ has rounded petal apexes and white columns. Additionally, ‘PHALHINDEK’ has smaller flowers and shorter whiskers than ‘PHALDILEP’.

‘PHALHINDEK’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGNAAQ’ in that ‘PHALHINDEK’ has light reddish-purple columns with white tips and white whiskers, whereas ‘PHALGNAAQ’ has very light purple columns and white whiskers with yellow tips. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALHINDEK’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 